Treatment For ADHD
Psychosocial therapy is the most common treatment for add. The drugs include stimulants such as methylphenidate amphetamine, and atomoxetine. They can also be nonstimulants, like clonidine and Guanfacine.
Stimulant medications should not be used in patients who have active addiction issues, but they are a possibility for those who are in stable remission. Combination treatment with antidepressants (particularly SSRIs) is also an option.
Stimulants
Stimulants increase norepinephrine and dopamine levels between synapses in the brain. This helps improve concentration and reduces hyperactivity and impulsivity. Most doctors prescribe medications from the stimulant class to treat ADHD. They can prescribe methylphenidate (Concerta or Ritalin), or amphetamines. Both are similar drugs. The type prescribed will depend on a person's individual biochemistry and how well they respond to the medicine. It can take up to seven days for the full effects of a drug to become evident. The medication will be effective if you notice improvements in memory, concentration, sleep, and impulsivity.
Some of the adverse effects include a decreased appetite, difficulty sleeping, and an increase in blood pressure and heart rate. Some people who have medical conditions like high blood pressure or heart disease, shouldn't take them. These are highly controlled drugs with a potential for misuse. Only paediatricians or psychiatrists or in certain cases general practitioners, are able to prescribe stimulants. They are available in the form of tablets or pills or patches that are placed on the skin, or liquids.
Children and adolescents who use stimulants often suffer from weight loss and eating disorders. They can also develop disorders when the dose is too high. In this situation the doctor will lower the dose to stop the drug from causing more symptoms.
About 70% to 80 percent of children and adults suffering from ADHD are treated with stimulant medication. A majority of children and young adults find that their symptoms improve through treatment. adhd adult treatment is particularly the case for children with parents, teachers or other caregivers who have reported improvements.
Early use of stimulants could reduce the risk for addiction disorders later in life. Wilens Katusic, Wilens, and colleagues81,82 and Biederman and colleagues83 discovered that the use of stimulants reduces the risk of acquiring substance use disorders in the adolescent period. However the protective effect diminishes in the early years of adulthood.